Help for a visit to Barcelona
Discussion
HELP, I am trying to book a 2 night break to Barcelona for my 1st wedding anniversary. My wife has always wanted to visit so I thought it would be a great surprise. Has anybody on here been recently? I want to find a nice hotel that will not break the bank but is in an ideal location to explore. My wife has always liked the look of the architecture and the old buildings. I just want to cram in as much as possible in the 2 and a half days I will be there. Also does Barcelona have only one main airport? I will probably end up flying Easyjet or one of the other budget airlines but I dont really want to end up to far from Barcelona itself. All advice is greatly appreciated and I just want to get this trip booked in the next 24 hours.
Watch out for pickpockets. I went in 2005 and was warned about it. We hadn't even got to the hotel from the bus station and some woman tried to get my debit card from my wallet. Then on our last day (we were there about 4 days in all) we were sitting around a table and some kids tried a distraction tactic, rustling a paper in front of my mates then quickly grabbing his mobile. It was only him giving chase down into an underground station and shouting at the kids that he managed to get it back. The first incident was near the Arc De Triomph bit and the other about half a mile/ mile away from the main shopping area. Also noticed a load of homeless people there on the streets.
I don't know whether it has improved, but I have never been in a place where I have felt the need to constantly check my pockets.
Be warned, I have heard of people that have not had problems but also heard of other people getting pickpocketed there.
I don't know whether it has improved, but I have never been in a place where I have felt the need to constantly check my pockets.
Be warned, I have heard of people that have not had problems but also heard of other people getting pickpocketed there.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th October 23:16
Don't know about your budget/requirements but we stayed here in July this year.
http://www.hoteles-silken.com/gran-hotel-havana-ba...
Got the best rates contacting them direct and a free bottle of agreeable red for booking through website. Also depending on time of year the rooftop pool/deck/bar was a great addition.
No problems with pickpockets but we were advised to avoid Ramblas after midnight.
http://www.hoteles-silken.com/gran-hotel-havana-ba...
Got the best rates contacting them direct and a free bottle of agreeable red for booking through website. Also depending on time of year the rooftop pool/deck/bar was a great addition.
No problems with pickpockets but we were advised to avoid Ramblas after midnight.
Try and book Room 809 in H10 Montcada, LaFayette , Barcelona.
I had this room a while back, walk in dressing room, 3 huge windows in the living room, and a bathroom you can open the window window and have a bath looking at the city.
Rooftop jacuzzi & patio, avoid rooms on the front of the hotel as they can be noisy.
Ignore all the scare stories about pick pockets, dont be obvious, and tell your lady not to carry a bag and stick a card in your pocket with a few euros. The tube is busy and safe through the day and excellent value.
Restaurants - Go to Quatre Cats - Picasso & Dali used to eat there ! a real bit of Spain away from the tourist s
te on the Ramblas.Or do Los Coracoles (Snails) - Brilliant.
The tourist bus is great , use it get on and off where and when you like. Make sure you do the chapel & funpark on the top of the mountain, via the venicular. the bars up the hill waiting for the venicular has amazing views, have a coffee , its a must !
Its a fantastic city, the cathedral is also worth a look, as is the harbour for the biggest super yachts you have ever seen .....
http://www.h10hotels.com/eng/barcelona-hotels/h10-...
Dont forget room 809 !!!! its a belter
Have you considered apartments? They're cheaper than hotels currently and some are very nice.
Look at Barcelonetta, it's nicer than staying in the hustle of Las Ramblas IMO and still only a ten minute walk away.
Guided bus tour is a must if time is short.
Easyjet fly into BCN and you're only ten mins away in a taxi or you can use public transport if you're not late getting there.
Look at Barcelonetta, it's nicer than staying in the hustle of Las Ramblas IMO and still only a ten minute walk away.
Guided bus tour is a must if time is short.
Easyjet fly into BCN and you're only ten mins away in a taxi or you can use public transport if you're not late getting there.
Forgot to mention , do Menu Del Dia (Menu of the day) in Quatre Cats, only 14 Euro eacj for a drink and 3 courses, nobody speaks english , and you will hae a hoot with the menu, great fun !!!
All Spanish restaurants must do a meal for the "workers" at lunch time, not heavily advertised as its always cheaper
http://www.4gats.com/
http://www.loscaracoles.es/
This question gets asked every couple of weeks on here and I´ve written quite a lot in the past as I live in Barcelona. Do a search in the travel forum and you´ll see the details.
My view- Pickpockets.... Don´t look like a tourist around la ramblas... take the cash you need only in this area....
Barcelona is a great city, but you don´t have to stick to the tourist areas. The best restaurants for me are on Enric Granados... loads of them! Menu del dia is great, but go 3 street away from passeig de gracia to find somewhere... for about 10 euro´s for 3 courses.
Gaudi stuff is great, Sagrada - go early, La pedrera is great to go round.... personally I like Mont Juic...
T10 from the airport is 7,70 for 10 journeys on the metro.. you can pass the card back between you and use it around the town.
Look back 2-3 weeks, I wrote loads more
T-J-K
My view- Pickpockets.... Don´t look like a tourist around la ramblas... take the cash you need only in this area....
Barcelona is a great city, but you don´t have to stick to the tourist areas. The best restaurants for me are on Enric Granados... loads of them! Menu del dia is great, but go 3 street away from passeig de gracia to find somewhere... for about 10 euro´s for 3 courses.
Gaudi stuff is great, Sagrada - go early, La pedrera is great to go round.... personally I like Mont Juic...
T10 from the airport is 7,70 for 10 journeys on the metro.. you can pass the card back between you and use it around the town.
Look back 2-3 weeks, I wrote loads more
T-J-K
I disagree with the pickpocket rubbish - Its as bad in London !!
Do not walk about with a -
Camera round your neck
Handbag
wallet stuffed into obvious pocket.
mobile in your hand
A tourist flag
English Football tops
Ladies ! - Dont do a purse, let the man carry some cash & a card in his front pocket.
I have been to Barcelona a stack of times, morning noon and night all over the place its as safe as you make it....
Would you travel on the tube flashing your gear about - answer "NO"
You have all missed the keyword "TOURIST" , they get targetted everywhere in the world they go. Dont be obvious, and most importantly when on holiday remember tourists get targetted so enjoy yourself, but would you coffee in Costa UK and leave your bag at your feet or behind your chair......errr no again.
Some folk do and they get their bags stolen.
Ive been a cop over 20 years and can spot a toe rag at a hundred paces, In the umpteen times Ive been to Barcelona Ive seen one guy clocking on the escalator looking for a victim, that was on the metro when it was very busy. I turned round on the stairway as it went up and smiled at him....
Forget all the bulls
t in the press, Barcelona is a fantastic city with lots to offer and its only as dangerous and unsafe as you choose to make it...No different to London, Paris or Milan....
im going next month as its £20 with ryanair - it goes to girona which is outside barc but its an easy bus ride in. thats said if its an anniversary you may not want to be so cheap. Been once before and its an amazing place - crime is the same as anywhere in the world - keep your common sense and you will be fine.
Just got back from a short break last week... For what it's worth we stayed in the Diagonal Zero, which sounds about on your budget and seemed the best value we could find a few weeks ago (used Trip Advisor to find some decent looking hotels and then got prices from each agent)...
We couldn't fault the hotel (which is saying something seeign as the missus is a hotel manager herself!) - thought it may be a bit far out but it was only a short Metro ride to all the big attractions, and was beautifully quiet when we wanted to chill, whilst still having restaurants, eateries and a decent shopping centre over the road!...
Oh, and if you do decide to stay there, mention it's your anniversary on the booking - they upgraded us to an executive suite, complete with free rooftop bar (Chorizo, Cheese and Rioja heaven!) upon finding out it was the girlfriend's birthday!
We couldn't fault the hotel (which is saying something seeign as the missus is a hotel manager herself!) - thought it may be a bit far out but it was only a short Metro ride to all the big attractions, and was beautifully quiet when we wanted to chill, whilst still having restaurants, eateries and a decent shopping centre over the road!...
Oh, and if you do decide to stay there, mention it's your anniversary on the booking - they upgraded us to an executive suite, complete with free rooftop bar (Chorizo, Cheese and Rioja heaven!) upon finding out it was the girlfriend's birthday!
Barcelona is excellent! Never had a problem with any crime, pickpockets etc. Do not play the street games that you cannot win (its pretty galling when you see some chump handing over EUR50 thinking he is going to double up!).
Las Ramblas is FULL of prozzies in the early hours. I mean, choc-a-bloc, so that might not be your cup of tea.
You have to do Sagrada de Familia (sp?) and if you like football, you can't miss out Camp Nou. The harbourside is excellent and there is also a nice beach further along the coast.
You won't regret it, especially if you like your culture, history and architecture etc. Don't go there looking for Las Vegas thrills.
Las Ramblas is FULL of prozzies in the early hours. I mean, choc-a-bloc, so that might not be your cup of tea.
You have to do Sagrada de Familia (sp?) and if you like football, you can't miss out Camp Nou. The harbourside is excellent and there is also a nice beach further along the coast.
You won't regret it, especially if you like your culture, history and architecture etc. Don't go there looking for Las Vegas thrills.
For somewhere to stay which is in a great location, I can thoroughly recommend this place:
http://www.grandhotelcentral.com/en/index.htm
http://www.grandhotelcentral.com/en/index.htm
Watch out for these guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_o0HMvYTLE
Great personalised tour which can take you through all the narrow passages in the city, very cheap to boot. Don't worry about the performance , they are equipped with a fully functional Kers button.
Great personalised tour which can take you through all the narrow passages in the city, very cheap to boot. Don't worry about the performance , they are equipped with a fully functional Kers button.
I'll add to the positive reviews. I've genuinely felt more threatened by crims in plenty of English cities than in Barcelona! Great city, some stunning places to see and I'd recommend going for the places where the locals eat and drink. Much cheaper and a very good atmosphere too.
ETA - if you do Ryannair it to Girona the bus is pretty easy. Takes about an hour back to one of main bus stations in the city centre though not the most well known one! Still it was pretty easy to get to the main sites from the bus station.
ETA - if you do Ryannair it to Girona the bus is pretty easy. Takes about an hour back to one of main bus stations in the city centre though not the most well known one! Still it was pretty easy to get to the main sites from the bus station.
Edited by v15ben on Saturday 17th October 15:56
Living in Barcelona, we took my parents who were visiting this weekend to the paleau de Musica... outside, I speid 3 chaps who were hanging around as did my Dad who looked at me and we stood back and watched as they scouted the scene.... As we watched there were a whole load of locals who also spied them as they approached an American chap with a massive camera and his bag on the ground. One stood behind him, another approached to chat to him, but he was wise to it.... As this happened, the people in the street walked up to the 3rd chap and suggested they move along... which they did. Nothing stolen, but the target had a rucksack... a bum bag and a massive camera as well as a wallet in his back pocket. I went and suggested to him that he as a target and he gave me a load of verbal and to get lost. Oh well, those who are not taking sensible precautions will get caught.
In better news, it was 24 degrees, everything is still open.. except on Sundays when shops close and the restaurants are getting better and better. Enjoy Barcelona and just take normal precautions and you´ll hopefully love the place. Still people on the beach and even more in shorts and t-shirts.
Enjoy!!
In better news, it was 24 degrees, everything is still open.. except on Sundays when shops close and the restaurants are getting better and better. Enjoy Barcelona and just take normal precautions and you´ll hopefully love the place. Still people on the beach and even more in shorts and t-shirts.
Enjoy!!
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